Princess Leia Organa (in Combat Poncho) (ROTJ 1983-84)

I don’t know what changed from when this figure came out to when Luke Poncho came out, but it was enough to go from “combat” to “battle.” Maybe it’s a distinction in the Rebel forces – Leia’s more greenish poncho is stored in the COMBAT bin and Luke’s more brown one is in the BATTLE bin. Obviously, they did not call each other before loading on to the stolen imperial Shuttle.

Leia comes with the same blaster as the A-Wing Pilot, B-Wing Pilot, and AT-ST Driver, but molded in grey. Her helmet, unlike Luke’s, is removable, as well as the green poncho cinched to her waist with a utility belt. Maybe Leia needed that all-important removable helmet for her scene with Wicket.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Your one chance to start a Leia strip-tease.

2. This Leia blends in with your favorite planters.

3. The only Star Wars figure for Earth Day!

4. Yet another excuse for another Speeder Bike.

5. Man, no one wears a poncho better.

Backstory:

Her poncho is more for camouflage than “combat,” but Leia's full Wookieepedia entry is here.

123rd in alphabetical order
 

Princess Leia Organa (Boushh Disguise) (ROTJ 1983-84)

Today's entry is Leia - wait for it - in bounty hunter Boushh disguise! Yes, for all you guys out there, this is a woman figure, but for figures back then this was pretty darn good. Of course, when we first saw this character in the movie, everyone was trying to figure out who it was, until she started to free Han - that made it pretty obvious before she took the helmet off. It was also a little hard to believe a character as short as this was holding Chewbacca at bay. I mean, really? I was once told a Wookiee would tear your arms off if they lost.

Five reasons that this figure is still cool (despite being a girl):

1. The helmet. Not only is it removable and Leia's head is still in proportion, but if you want to pretend it's the real Boushh, you can just leave the helmet on.

2. The helmet is packaged in a separate bubble on the card. It makes it look like it's floating above the figure's head, as if anointing her with a crown or some lofty purpose. Yeah, I know, weird reason, huh?

3. Blaster rifle. Holy cow - what other character carries a blaster that's as big as them? No wonder Han marries her later (in the novels)!

4. This figure just makes it cool for boys to actually own a woman doll, I mean, action figure.

Negative 1: No thermal detonator. Although the later release of this figure in the 1990's had a thermal detonator, it was permanently built into her hand. Oh, what a choking hazard we missed out on!

Backstory:

The novel and graphic novels Shadows of the Empire explained what happened in between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi (It was a big media blitz for LucasFilm at the time. Anyone remember it? Anyone?). A bounty hunter named Boushh was killed by the crime syndicate Black Sun (led by Xizor, a wannabe successor to the Emperor) after trying to embezzle funds. His killer happened to keep Boushh's uniform, which Leia took to wearing as a disguise in plot point of the story. She later used it to infiltrate Jabba's palace and do a poor, but well-intentioned attempt at saving Han - although it is unclear if this went according to plan or not with Luke coming and Lando already there.

Boushh was a member of a near-human race called Ubese, from Uba IV that often worked as mercenaries. Due to their secretive nature they often wore helmeted breathing masks, like the one in the film. Interesting tidbit: the same guy who did Leia's Boushh voice in ROTJ also did E.T.'s voice. No word though on why Boushh had to be spelled with two "H's." I mean, honestly, who does that?

Want more? Leia's Wookieepedia article. Boushh's Wookieepedia article.

122nd in alphabetical order
 

Princess Leia Organa (SW 1978-79)

Leia - the only human female action figure made from the whole freakin' trilogy - at least in the original 93 figure line. The Leia in white cape came on the original Star Wars 12-back card, and an ESB and ROTJ card. Her figure and card picture never changed with each release, however.

I don't know if it was true or not, but this figure's neck always seemed skinnier than the rest of the figures, which is probably why I had a couple with no heads after a while. She came with a skinny gun too, which must be modeled after the one she shot a stormtrooper with right at the beginning of the movie (on the blockade runner ship that also showed up in Revenge of the Sith). After that you see her firing stormtrooper-issue blasters, which always seemed a little big in her hands. Considering how petite she was, Natalie Portman was a good idea to play her mom.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Take off the cape and you have the beginnings of that 70's disco diorama you've been dreaming of.

2. Those buns. I mean, what is with those buns? Am I only the only guy who, while watching the first movie, thought at the end, "So that's what she looks like with the hair down. She's hotter than I thought!"

3. Her action figure looks a lot cheerier than her character in the first one. Jeez, did someone blow up your home planet or something?

4. Waaaaaay better than the first Leia in white cape figure that came out with the new line in the 90's, also called "monkey-face" Leia, and for good reason.

5. Pair her with the Han in Bespin outfit and you have the topper to your geek wedding cake. Let's just hope your wife doesn't get ticked.

Backstory:

Watch the end of Revenge of the Sith for the beginning. She's born, mom dies, she's adopted by Bail Organa and his wife, raised on Alderaan, served in the Senate, kidnapped in Star Wars IV (the first movie), planet blown up, kissed her brother (twice), found out Luke was her brother, fell in love with Han, was touched by Ewoks.

In the novels after the movies, her and Han have twins (Jaina and Jacen), then a third child (Anakin). She serves as president (or the legal equivalent) in the new galactic ruling body, and after she quits that she trains and becomes a full-fledged Jedi.

Want her full story? Check out her Wookieepedia article

121st in alphabetical order
 

Power Droid (SW 1977-79)

Saying “Gonk” and walking. That was the big scene for the Power Droid in the movie. A few different Power Droids are seen in the movies (well, in SW and ROTJ), but the model for the figure was probably the one in the Jawa sandcrawler.

This figure comes with nothing. It came on SW, ESB, and ROTJ cards. It could, possibly, rank right up there as the most boring vintage Star Wars figure to play with. Really. No accessories. Had almost no screen time. Was not pivotal – at all – to the plot. Boooooorrrrring. Still, I have to convince you:

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:
1. Nothing says “gonk” like a Power Droid.

2. Surprise your manager with a Power Droid instead of an ink cartridge.

3. Mascot to the box manufacturers of the world.

4. Goes great with a Jawa sandcrawler.

5. Recreate a droid office party. The Power Droid is the guy no one talks to.

Backstory:

The model of the figure is most likely an EG-6, manufactured by Veril Line Systems. Other models in the films were the EG-4, and the GNK. They were basically walking batteries and served all sides. A Power Droid can be seen getting tortured in Jabba’s dungeon in ROTJ.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

120th in alphabetical order